History activities [2]

Activity 1: Punishment for convicts

Subtheme(s):
Culture; Historical events

What punishment could be used to deter convicts who had already been transported to the colony from committing further misdemeanours? Convicts who perpetrated crimes in the colony could be flogged, but floggings were not as arbitrarily meted out as is popularly thought. In My Place Episode 21│ 1808: Sarah, Mrs Owen and her daughter Alice often threaten Sarah with being sent back to Sydney Town if she is disobedient or does something wrong. If assigned convicts like Sarah committed crimes or tried to run away, they could be returned to government control and would probably then be put to work in leg-irons as part of a road gang or sent to a penal colony such as those at Newcastle or Port Macquarie. The worst cases were sent to Norfolk Island settlement.

Discover

Ask students to research the punishments that were used to keep the convicts in check. Students should list at least four forms of punishment, detailing descriptions and images of these punishments. Some punishments to start with are the stocks, cat-of-nine-tail floggings and solitary confinement, among others.

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Activity 2: The Parramatta female factory

Subtheme(s):
Culture; Historical events; Politics

The Parramatta Female Factory, a 'special gaol for women and girls', was established in 1821. It replaced Australia's first female factory, the 'factory above the gaol', which was also located in Parramatta, and it was designed to accommodate up to 300 women, combining elements of a prison, a factory and a workhouse. During its history, the precinct of the Parramatta Female Factory has accommodated an asylum, an orphanage, a girls' home and a women's prison. The precinct is located in present day Fleet Street, Parramatta, NSW, and a campaign has been launched to list the area as a National Heritage site.

Discover

Ask students to research the history of the use of the site of the Parramatta Female Factory. Students can create a timeline of the use of the site. Students can conduct research in the school or local library, or online. As a starting point, teachers can refer to the resources listed below:

Reflect

Ask students to pretend they are addressing a committee formed to decide whether the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct in Fleet Street, Parramatta, should be designated a National Heritage site. In small groups, they must create a short presentation, accompanied by PowerPoint slides or a poster, explaining the historical importance of the site and why the committee should support National Heritage listing.